December 2016
MI Floriculture Growers
Becomes
Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council
at
Annual Member Meeting
At the annual member meeting in Grand Rapids on December 6, 2016, the Michigan Floriculture
Growers Council members were informed the group officially became the Michigan Greenhouse
Growers Council. The MGGC members' decision was unanimous.
Members gathered around the podium as Mr. Tom Dudek, MSU
Extension Specialist in the western portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula,
received accolades for his 18 years of service as an extension specialist.
Tom received a plaque from the Council and applause all around.
Mr. Tom Kalchik, a private consultant hired by the MSU Product Center on
behalf of the Michigan Greenhouse Growers, gave a synopsis on his
investigation into recycling containers. He conducted face-to-face
interviews with selected members of the Council and is compiling input
from a survey of the membership. The results of the survey will be
available in January 2017.
Tom Kalchik discusses the
recycling survey
President Bill Tuinier
presents Tom Dudek with
recognition for his years of
service
The final discussion before member
networking and visiting ensued, was from a
panel of experts regarding the updated Agriculture Worker Protection
Standards (WPS) which are required by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
The Panel discussion on the Worker Protection Standards included:
Antonio Castro-Escobar, Michigan Department of Agriculture
Tom Dudek, Michigan State University
Craig Anderson, Michigan Farm Bureau
Dennis Crum, Michigan Greenhouse Growers Representative
Discussion included first step in WPS as it only applies when you are
using a pesticide. Standards come into effect on January 2, 2017, but clarification, education and
outreach won't be ready by then. WPS training already in place is to be used until new materials are
available. In the meantime, the following changes will impact Greenhouse growers:
1. There are Restricted Entry Areas that must have good signage.
Central Notification of the Safety Data Sheet and a poster at all
sites with 11 full-time workers. Must comply January 2, 2017.
2. Workers are to be kept out of the areas.
3. Annual Training:
There are 23 worker topics to cover, 36 pesticide handler topics and
records proving worker training took place must be kept on-site.
4. MDARD Certifies the WPS trainer
a) Certified Applicator can be a trainer
b) The American Horticulture Society is working on certifying trainers
c) Respirator fit testing will be required for applicators and employees
d) If an employee doesn't pass the fit test, he/she cannot be in
greenhouse after spraying
e) Employers can't know (HIPPA rules) why the employee can't wear the
respirator
Craig Anderson from
Michigan Farm Bureau
talks Worker Protection
Standards
Fit testing
1. Applies to current and new hires
2. Must take place annually
3. Be done by a medical provider
4. If no pass, must either re-take the test or not work
For training, growers:
1. Use the current video
2. Use a sign-in sheet
3. Use EPA approved trainer or certified applicator
4. Go through the training too
For more information visit this
link: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-workersafety/agricultural-worker-protection-standard-wps.
From Left to Right; panel of speakers re:
WPS: Antonio Escobar, MDARD; Tom
Dudek, MSU; Craig Anderson, MFB; Dennis
Crum, MGGC & Four Star
After the presentations, members mingled and enjoyed
an evening of camaraderie and networking. There was an
open bar, with gourmet sandwiches and scrumptious deserts. If you couldn't make the annual meeting
this year, we encourage you to keep your schedules open for next year's meeting.
Michigan Poinsettias Grace the Governor's House
On November 30th, WoJos Greenhouse, on behalf of the Michigan Floriculture (now
Greenhouse) Growers Council donated many lovely Poinsettias to Governor Snyder's
residence for the holiday season. Governor Snyder and his staff truly appreciated the
donation and every year look forward to sparking the season with gorgeous, Michigan grown
poinsettias. This is wonderful exposure for greenhouse growers, as many visitors are
welcomed to the residence each year including business owners, journalists, legislators,
policy staff and friends. Click here for a recent Michigan Poinsettias article.
Thank you WoJo's Greenhouse!
MDARD Announces Specialty Crop Public Input Opportunity
For Immediate Release: December 8, 2016
Media Contact: Jessy Sielski, 517-284-5725
To ensure effective priorities within the Michigan Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development today announced a public input
opportunity, which will be held through January 12, 2017.
The MDARD Specialty Crop Block Grant Program awards funds to projects to enhance the
competitiveness of Michigan specialty crops, which include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried
fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).
To submit comments, visit www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants or send them via email to [email protected]. The deadline for comments is January 12, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. The input
received will be considered when developing final program priorities for 2017.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Us - Phone: 800-292-3939
MGGC Opportunity Awaits!
We look forward to the January 9th meeting at the Detroit Eastern
Market (DEM) at 10:00 a.m. in the main offices. Growers are invited
to attend. This is a meeting to discuss how Michigan Greenhouses
can utilize the Eastern Market and market their products or
greenhouse. The sky is the limit so bring your ideas and attend on
Monday, January 9.
Please RSVP to Val if you plan on attending [email protected] or
517-367-2033
Detroit Eastern Market
1445 Adelaide, Detroit, MI 48207
January 9 - 10 am
DEM Office
November 28, 2016
TO: Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association
Michigan Green Industry Association
Michigan Christmas Tree Association
Michigan Floriculture Growers Council
Michigan Agri-Business Association
SUBJECT: Notification of Inspection Fees Changes for 2017
Based on an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Fiscal Year 2016, the Michigan
Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development (the Commission) approved an increase in fees
charged for nursery stock, Christmas tree, export, import, and other inspections. The hourly-based fees
will increase from $58 per hour to $59 per hour. Annual nursery grower inspection fees, which are
based on acreage, will remain unchanged at $53 per acre for the first acre and $32 per acre for
additional acres. The fee increase becomes effective January 1, 2017 and remains in effect until
December 31, 2017.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) charges fees for inspection
of plants and plant products as authorized under Public Act 189 of 1931, Insect Pests and Plant
Diseases. Act 189 prescribes that MDARD will annually evaluate its costs of conducting inspections
and may adjust inspection fees by not more than an amount determined by the state treasurer to reflect
the cumulative annual percentage change in the Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint CPI over the one-year period,
with the adjustment not to exceed 5%. Fee increases are subject to the approval of the Commission.
The state treasurer reported to MDARD a 0.8% increase in the CPI for Fiscal Year 2016. The
Commission approved an increase in inspection fees, based on the 0.8% change in the CPI, during the
November 10th Commission meeting.
Sincerely,
Gina Alessandri, Director
Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division
`
Register online
2017-18 Legislative Leadership
Michigan Senate & House of Representatives
Michigan Senate
Senate Majority Leader
Senator Arlan B. Meekhof
Senate District 30
Senate Majority Floor Leader
Senator Mike Kowall
Senate District 15
Senate President Pro Tem
Senator Tonya Schuitmaker
Senate District 26
Senate Minority Leader
Senator Jim Ananich
Senate District 27
Senate Minority Floor Leader
Senator Morris Hood III
Senate District 3
Senate Appropriations Chair
Senator Dave Hildenbrand
Senate District 29
Michigan House of Representatives
Speaker of the House
Representative Tom Leonard
House District 93
Majority Floor Leader
Representative Dan Lauwers
House District 81
Speaker Pro-Tem
Representative Lee Chatfield
House District 107
Minority Leader
Representative Sam Singh
House District 69
Minority Floor Leader
Representative Christine Greig
House District 37
House Appropriations Chair
Representative Laura Cox
House District 19
First Session Day-Swearing in of Legislature-Wednesday, January 11, 2017
MAEAP Certified Members
Arborview Greenhouse, LLC * Deneweth Garden Center * Great Lakes Greenhouses *
Greendorr Greenhouses * John Theisen Farm *
John Gernaat & Sons Greenhouse * Kalamazoo Specialty Plants, LLC *
Ken's Greenhouse * Lexington Gardens * Micandy Gardens *
Nash Greenhouse * Tom's Greenhouse * Westrate Greenhouse, Inc.
MFGC
235 N Pine St * Lansing, MI 48933
mifgc.org * [email protected]
(517) 367-2033
STAY CONNECTED:
Michigan Floriculture Growers Council, 235 N. Pine St, Lansing, MI 48933